LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday ordered closure of trader markets and businesses in four districts of the province at 8pm due to persistence of toxic Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the province despite smog-specific steps.

With air pollution reaching unprecedented levels, various restrictions have been imposed on business activities and public gatherings in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala.

The Air Quality Index for several cities in Punjab was very high on Monday reaching 1304 in Lahore and 978 inMultan. The index ranks AQI above 300 as `hazardous` to health.

Multan recorded an alarming AQI of 978 on Monday, while other cities such as Rojhan and Sialkot followed closely with readings of 812 and 774, respectively.

Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh issued the notification stating that general stores, markets, and shopping centres be closed at 8pm.

However, essential services like medical stores, bakeries, petrol stations, grocery stores, and fruit and meat shops will remain open. Utilities such as electricity, gas, internet, and phone services are exempted from these restrictions.

Religious gatherings, prayers, funerals, and burials are also excluded from these restrictions. The government advised the general public to stay indoors and wear masks to mitigate health risks.

It further states that critical air pollution events took place in districts of Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala in the last week. The average AQI of these districts has crossed the critical limit of 500 which is alarmingly hazardous forhuman health. An unprecedented rise in the number of patients with lung and respiratory diseases, allergies, eye and throatirritation, and pink eye disease is being observed. The spread of conjunctivitis/pink eye disease due to bacterial or viral infection, smoke, dust or chemical exposure is posing a serious and imminent threat to public health.

EPA Director General Mr Sheikh in exercise of the powers under section 6(1) (t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 ordered the restrictions in districts of Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. `Closure of all outdoor activities including outdoor sports events, exhibitions and festivals, outdoor dining of restaurants with the exemption of religious congregations, unavoidable religious rites including but not limited to the last rites, Namaz-iJanaza, burial and related events.

Following sectors are exempted from the said restriction including pharmacies/ medical stores, medical facilities, medical laboratories, vaccination centres, petrol pumps, oil depots, tandoors, bakeries, grocery/karyana stores, milk/dairy shops,sweet shops, vegetable/fruit shops, chicken/meat shops, e-commerce/ postal/ courier services and utility services (electricity, natural gas, internet, cellular networks / telecom). Large departmental stores may only keep their grocery/pharmacy sections open while all others sections will remain closed. The order came into force with effect from Nov 11 till 17 (Sunday).

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb urged citizens to prioritise their health and follow government guidelines.

Experts indicate that much of the air pollution in Pakistan is caused by smoke due to crop burning in India. Satellite images show that polluted air from Indian states is affecting Pakistani regions, with Lahore especially vulnerable due to its proximity to Amritsar, just 45 kilometres away.

Meteorologists predict that on Nov 14, toxic winds from India are expected to shift direction, potentially easing the pollution levels.

Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar said that actions were being taken across the province to prevent smog and protect the environment.

In the past 24 hours, during the smog crackdown in various districts including Lahore, 91 cases were registered and 14 individuals were arrested. Additionally, fines exceeding Rs 828,000 were imposed on 458 individuals, and 33 were issued warnings.

Police spokesperson said that 38 cases of crop residue burning, 359 cases of vehicles emitting excessive smoke, three industrial violations, and 27 brick kiln violations, and 24 other violations were reported.

This year, during the ongoing anti-smog crackdown, a total of 2,161 individuals have been arrested, 2,627 cases have been registered, and fines exceeding Rs 50.9 million imposed on 21,924 individuals. Additionally, 1,379 individuals have been issued warnings.

The reported violations include 1,540 cases oferopresidueburning,18,843cases of vehicles emitting excessive smoke, 325 industrial violations, 1,046 brick kiln violations, and 283 other violations.

Regarding the ongoing crackdown on vehicles emitting excessive smoke on highways, the spokesperson said that in the past 24 hours, fines were issued to 5,520 such vehicles, 679 vehicles were impounded, and the fitness certificates of three vehicles were suspended.

He said that a total of 741,871 vehicles emitting excessive smoke have been fined,158,278 vehicles have been impounded, and the fitness certificates of 10,022 vehicles suspended during the current year.

Moreover, the Punjab Department of Transport and Mass Transit is exploring long-term solutions. Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi met with UET Vice Chancellor Prof Shahid Munir to discuss collaborations on hybrid vehicle use, fitness testing and pollution controltechnologies.

The Pakistan Air Quality Experts (PAQx) group has written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging the government to take immediate steps for tackling the hazardous air quality affecting most of the country and protecting the health ofcitizens.

Immediate steps include shutdown of all brick kilns, strict vehicle emission checks and curtailment of heavy transport, closure of non-compliant industrial units.

Furthermore, the group recommends a comprehensive approach to mediumand longterm planning for #CleanAir.

This 12-pointagendaisbased onevidence, data, and localunderstanding of keyissues, and has been collaboratively authored by 27 Pakistanis engaged in work on air quality.

Air pollution in Lahore soared on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) briefly reaching an `unprecedented` level of 1171.

Around 9pm, the AQI reading in different areas of Lahore was CERP Office 2019, Syed MaratibAliRoad1798,PakistanEngineering Services (Pvt) Ltd. 1774, Ghazi Road Interchange 1589, Askari-10 1566, US Consulate in Lahore 1529, Sanofi PakistanLimited 1212, Revenue Employees Coop Housing Society 1171, Shahrah-e-Quaid-eAzam 1170 and LAS Lahore 1111 at 11pm.

A thick layer of smog shrouded Bahawalpur, Rajanpur and several other cities of Punjab, reducing visibility to zero.

The situation resulted in widespread traffic disruptions, as major motorways and roads were closed at various points to prevent accidents.

Motorway M2 was closed from Lahore to Bhera, while Motorway M3 was blocked from Lahore to Durkhana. Similarly, Motorway M4 was shut down from Multan to Pindi Bhattian, and Motorway M5 was closed from Multan to Sukkur. Additionally, the LahoreSialkot Motorway was also blocked, further exacerbating the traffic situation.

Reduced visibility also led to the closure of Motorway M1 from Peshawar to Rashakai and Motorway M2 from Bheera to Kot Momin.

In the wake of the smog situation, the traffic authorities have banned the entry of heavy duty vehicles in Multan. Areas of upper Sindh and regions bordering with Punjab have also been hit by polluted air, leading to closure of M5 from Sukkur to Rahim Yar Khan.

Meanwhile, smog-crisis and consequent low visibility has also caused various road accidents, resulting in multiple casualties. A man was killed and six others were injured in different mishaps in Rahim Yar Khan.The flight operations at Faisalabad and Multan airports was disrupted.